The Congress’s performance in Bihar, where it couldn’t help even win half the seats it contested and help the Mahagathbandhan, has reignited the inner party revolt of August 2020. Senior Congress leaders numbering 23 had written to party chief Sonia Gandhi to fix lacunae within the party, right from the top down to the bottom rung, of the lack of democracy and a full-time party president who could invest more effort and time into the post.
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Monday said despite the huge loss in Bihar, there is still no introspection in the party. He said the people no longer see the Congress as an effective alternative since the party leadership wasn’t addressing problems facing the party.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Sibal criticised the Congress leadership and said there has been no word from the party on its performance in Bihar where the Congress tally went down compared to the 2015 election. People of the country don’t consider the Congress to be an effective alternative, he said. The party thinks all is well in the country and that should be business as usual for the party, he said.
Talking about the reasons for Congress’ downfall after the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Sibal said there is an urgent need for introspection for the party’s leadership. The Congress has not introspected over the last six years and hoped the party would do so soon. The party high command knows what is wrong in the organisation of the party, he said. The country and the party itself have all the answers but they are not ready to accept their mistakes.
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For the smooth functioning of an organisation, there is a need of experienced minds, hands and people who understand the political realities of India and the people who know how to articulate it in the media, Sibal said.